Boxing In Mexico: Garay vs. Henry In WBC Light Heavy Eliminator March 27

Light heavyweight contender Chris “Hard Hittin” Henry has patiently waited an extra month to get a shot at former 2-time WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay in their March 27th WBA Light Heavyweight eliminator.

They were originally supposed to square-off February 27 but that show was cancelled, moving Garay-Henry back four weeks to March 27 as the 12-round co-feature on “The Champion Returns” pay-per-view event, featuring the return of 3-division world champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales, live from Monterrey, Mexico.

“It (postponement) really helped me,” Henry said from his Texas training camp. “I feel it’s a blessing that it was postponed. I took one week off to let my body relax and then we got right back to grinding hard. It’s almost three months training for this fight. I’m more prepared now.

“I feel for Garay….after the fight I’ll feel for him. Everything will work out for a reason and a win will get me a world title shot so I can show that I’m one of the best light heavyweights in the world. I’ve been fighting top 10 guys for a while.”

WBA No. 4-ranked Henry (24-2, 19 KOs), fighting out of Houston, has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years. “This is a big step-up for me,” Henry added. “Everybody has looked at me as a stepping stone to get to bigger guys, but I am one of the best light heavyweights, and I’ve worked hard to get where I’m supposed to be.

“I’m a throwback-fighter who goes all out. Garay may not be a great puncher but he’s a 2-time world champ. He throws a lot of fast punches and I’m a big hitter. Pay-per-view fans are going to watch a great fight. I’m looking for a big W.”

Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, is a popular Argentinean who defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and then lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.

Morales (48-6, 34 KOs), the last opponent to defeat Manny Pacquiao, returns from a 2 ½ year layoff to face Nicaraguan knockout specialist Jose “Jicaras” Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown.

On a mission to become Mexico’s first 4-divisional world champion, Morales’ victims include Pacquiao. Marco Antonio Barrera, Pauli Ayala, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas, Jr. (twice), Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly.

Former WBA lightweight titlist Alfaro has defeated world champions Prawet Singwancha and DeMarcus Corley

Two of the top 105-pounders in the world – No. 1 Denver Cuello (19-2-5, 10) and No. 2 Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1, 12 KOs) – continue the ongoing Philippines-Mexican rivalry, respectively, when they meet in a 12-round bout for the WBC Interim strawweight championship.

Also slated to fight on this power-packed PPV card is El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs) against Daniel Bispo, 1996 Brazilian Olympian, in a 10-round Special Heavyweight Attraction.

“The Champion Returns,” presented by KO Entertainment and Box Latino, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Tickets are available to purchase at www.superboletos.com